Pacers win opener in overtime
By TYLER SMITH (@TylerSmith_ISL)
ISL Editor
(Photo by Pacers Sports and Entertainment)
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Pacers kicked off the new season with a bang on Wednesday night, defeating the Dallas Mavericks in a thrilling overtime game, 130-121 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. After compiling a 1-7 overtime record last season, it was a fitting beginning to the new-look Pacers.
Myles Turner had a career night, with 30 points, 16 rebounds, and four blocked shots. He also hit one of the game’s biggest shots, a 3-pointer late in Overtime.
“This kid just continues to improve,” Coach Nate McMillan said. “I’ve told him if he has a good look from behind the 3-point line to take it. I’m comfortable with him taking that shot if he’s open out there. Tonight he knocked down a big shot for us.”
Every Pacer starter scored in double-figures led by Turner with 30. Paul George scored 25 points to go along with eight rebounds, and six assists. New point guard Jeff Teague contributed 20 points and eight assists.
“We’ve got a lot of talented players,” Teague said. “We can get to the basket, penetrate and kick anytime. We’ve just got to get our legs under us and make some shots.”
Teague enjoyed his first game wearing the blue and gold, “It was fun. It was great. It was a surreal experience for me, being from here. I was happy we were able to get a win.”
The Pacers led 33-21 after the first quarter, and led 59-52 at halftime. They led the entire game until Dallas took their first lead with 8:06 left in the game. Instead of letting the pressure get to them like a season ago, the Pacers stayed focused and did enough to get the win.
New Maverick Harrison Barnes hit a game-tying 3-pointer with 2.3 seconds left in regulation, but it was all Pacers in Overtime as they outscored Dallas 15-6.
“We just put it together,” Paul George said after the game. “We got stops and executed down the stretch. In the overtime, I just took it upon myself to make plays.”
It wasn’t the greatest night on the defensive end for the Pacers, but they did enough when it counted the most. One thing seems clear: This team will score a lot of points and will be a fun team to watch this season.
